Because governors have all kinds of power through appointments and the bully pulpit. Look how Jeb Bush was able to turn public opinion on the High Speed Rail proposal and rescind what they had approved a few years earlier. A Democrat governor can do a heck of a lot of damage, the nonsense that a Dem gov is neutralized by a GOP legislature is baloney. Appointed gov't staff often become entrenched and wreak all kinds of havok behind the scenes and out of the media spotlight. Plus the media will cover for a Dem gov and often are able to propel them to higher offices, as "A successful Democrat governor of a Southern state who drew support from both sides."
What Crist did today was dumb, allowing the Dem to win the race would be multiple times as dumb. Don't be suckered into that.
You're not really buying this AP story are you? I guarantee this was all worked out ahead of time as Crist has quite a lead in Pensacola. I too am a FL resident, and I voted last Thursday in early voting. Crist is far better than the alternative shmuck Davis....I would never take a chance of not voting for governor if it means Davis could possibly be our next one. Where's the cyanide?
The democrats are a very weak party down here now. When I look at Crist, all I see is Mark Foley or Jim McGreevy from NJ. If that situation occurs here, all the hard work republicans have done in this state to build a strong conservative party will disintegrate.
The entire time he is in office I will be waiting for the other shoe to drop. He is already pro civil unions and is not a pro-life candidate. Also, low taxes are not his forte. Now this snub.
As far as the appointments go, you have given a valid reason to vote for republicans, but I have no guarantee that Crist won't try to sneak Souters into the SCoFLA or any where else. Also with democrats, when the next hurricane cycle hits, I believe the running in circles and screaming ala Blanco in La. will be their downfall.
I can't help but believe that Mr. Crist is the worst possible thing that could happen to the governorship. It's just a very hard thing for me to do. I'd say let the RINOs vote him in. I'm having a extremely difficult time supporting him with my vote.